==Chapter Seven==
Feng Wenyu was utterly furious.
Ever since learning she would encounter Gu Yushi at this banquet, she had mentally prepared for various scenarios—except for Gu Yushi developing resistance toward her.
His attitude toward her was like night and day compared to before.
The Red Plum Jade Hairpin she had deliberately worn this morning suddenly felt unbearably heavy. The joy she had felt earlier shattered completely, crashing to the ground.
“Gu Yushi, what exactly do you mean by this?”
As the woman’s indignant questioning reached his ears, Gu Yushi’s hand twitched imperceptibly within his sleeve. His gaze lingered momentarily on the jade hairpin atop her head.
He wasn’t so forgetful as to not recognize the hairpin he had gifted Feng Wenyu for her coming-of-age ceremony.
But it had been a long time since he last saw this hairpin—not since Feng Wenyu had shattered it with her own hands.
The details of their argument that day had grown hazy, but he vividly remembered the crisp sound of the jade hairpin breaking when Feng Wenyu threw it to the ground. From that moment on, their relationship had frozen over completely.
The surrounding space fell into silence. Gu Yushi avoided her gaze but remained under her scrutiny. After a brief pause, he finally managed to speak:
“I have matters to attend to. I must take my leave.”
Feng Wenyu’s eyes widened in disbelief.
She watched helplessly as Gu Yushi brushed past her. Unable to contain her emotions any longer, tears welled in her eyes, and she felt a moment of confusion.
She didn’t understand. During their last meeting, everything had been fine between them. How had things suddenly come to this?
But just as Gu Yushi had surmised, she wasn’t the same person she would become fourteen years later.
The current Feng Wenyu was more straightforward, less tolerant of grievances, and determined to get to the bottom of things.
She grabbed his sleeve just as he was about to walk away.
Gu Yushi stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at her, seemingly startled by her action, and stared blankly at her hand clutching his sleeve.
Feng Wenyu flushed under his gaze. Biting her lip, she insisted, “You’re not allowed to leave.”
Her entire demeanor radiated determination to have this conversation settled today.
People occasionally passed by, some casting curious glances their way. Her fingertips trembled and curled slightly, but she stubbornly refused to let go.
Knowing how thin-skinned she was, Gu Yushi instinctively shifted to shield her from view, concealing her tugging at his sleeve.
Feng Wenyu noticed this gesture. Her eyes flickered slightly as she pressed her lips together, growing even more perplexed.
Her voice softened with frustration:
“What’s wrong with you? It’s like you’ve become a different person.”
This was Feng Wenyu’s genuine feeling—the person before her seemed strangely unfamiliar.
She hadn’t heard of any misfortunes befalling the Gu family either. After much contemplation, only one suspicion arose in her mind—had Gu Yushi’s feelings changed?
Feng Wenyu eyed Gu Yushi suspiciously. She made no effort to conceal her emotions, her thoughts plainly written across her face for Gu Yushi to read at a glance.
Unwilling to bear false accusations, Gu Yushi offered an excuse:
“I’ve just taken up my new post. Official duties keep me busy, and today isn’t even my official holiday.”
But Feng Wenyu interpreted his words differently: “Are you blaming me for not caring about you?”
Gu Yushi was momentarily speechless.
Was he blaming Feng Wenyu?
He couldn’t outright deny it.
While he claimed to have deliberately avoided Feng Wenyu, the truth was he simply hadn’t initiated contact with her. The result remained the same—they hadn’t seen each other during this period.
Haunted by memories of their previous life, Gu Yushi couldn’t help but wonder: were their mutual affection and shared feelings reality, or merely his wishful thinking?
Did he resent Feng Wenyu?
He resented her—resented her for breaking promises, for being fickle-hearted.
Before deciding to give her the divorce papers in his previous life, he hadn’t been entirely unaware that Feng Wenyu held no romantic feelings for Shen Jingchen.
But by then, it no longer mattered.
Shen Jingchen’s affection for her was almost impossible to conceal—could she truly have been completely oblivious?
Time and again, she had visited the Imperial Music Academy for Shen Jingchen, even allowing him into her inner circle. Had she ever considered his feelings?
Knowing full well about the other’s emotions yet never distancing herself or refusing him—that in itself was a silent form of consent.
He had always ensured she felt secure, never giving her cause for doubt—so why couldn’t she do the same for him?
He didn’t want to compare himself to an entertainer, nor did he wish to trample his dignity by repeatedly lowering his head. No one knew how he had felt back then—only that weariness had washed over him in an instant.
The world was full of couples who maintained appearances while growing apart—he just never imagined he and Feng Wenyu would become one of them.
And now, everything offered a chance to start over.
But knowing how things would ultimately unfold between him and Feng Wenyu, should he really tread the same path again?
Gu Yushi fixed his gaze on Feng Wenyu and asked:
“Do you truly think we’re suited for each other?”
Not about love—but suitability?
Feng Wenyu froze in place.
It wasn’t that she failed to grasp his meaning—precisely because she understood, she felt stunned. A needle-like pain prickled in her heart, fine and numbing. She took a deep breath, unable to suppress her emotions: “You regret it.”
She was questioning him, yet her tone held no trace of doubt.
Gu Yushi remained silent.
Feng Wenyu let out a bitter laugh. Releasing her grip, she took a step back, creating distance between them. Suppressing the turbulent emotions surging inside, she forced her voice to remain cold:
“If Lord Gu believes we’re unsuited, you may clarify this with my parents in person. That would spare us future resentment.”
Future resentment.
Gu Yushi lowered his gaze. She was bold in love and hate—far more decisive than he. “You’re right.”
He exhaled deeply, then smiled, as if reverting to the person Feng Wenyu once knew. He said:
“I will pay a visit another day.”
Feng Wenyu heard his words clearly. Her lips trembled slightly, and the color drained from her face. But in the end, she said nothing—standing straight-backed, she watched as Gu Yushi took his leave and walked away.
Only when she was alone did she breathe rapidly, biting her lip hard to hold back the tears welling in her eyes.
If we’re unsuited, then we’re unsuited.
Who cares!
Jinshu cautiously glanced at her: “Miss, are you alright?”
Feng Wenyu turned her head, wiping her face, unwilling to let anyone see her discomposure. Her voice choked with emotion:
“What could possibly be wrong with me?”
Seeing this, Jinshu felt heartache too. She inwardly cursed Gu Yushi for his ingratitude—her young mistress was such a wonderful person. If not for the eldest young master’s connection, how could someone from the Gu family ever reach the Feng family’s doorstep?
The fact that her young mistress had agreed to marry him was a blessing the Gu family had earned over eight lifetimes.
And yet he had the audacity to put on airs.
Jinshu’s heart ached for her mistress: “Miss, perhaps we should return to the estate first.”
People came and went around them. Recalling Gu Yushi’s words, Feng Wenyu bit her lip and snorted coldly:
“We’re not going back.”
Today’s event was nominally a flower appreciation banquet, but in reality, it was a matchmaking gathering arranged by Old Madam Qiao for Qiao Anyu. Everyone invited by Old Madam Qiao came from families of similar status and age.
Feng Wenyu thought indignantly—it wasn’t as if Gu Yushi was her only option!
She returned to the area for female guests and, upon entering the pavilion, saw Qiao Anyu there as well. Qiao Anyu’s delicate face was scrunched into a frown. Jiang Zhilan pulled her to sit down and whispered softly:
“Alright, I know you don’t get along with her, but today’s banquet is hosted by Old Madam Qiao. Don’t start a quarrel with her.”
Feng Wenyu, afraid others might detect her emotions, deliberately curled her lips and said, “I can’t be bothered to argue with her.”
Unfortunately, even if she intentionally avoided Qiao Anyu, it didn’t mean Qiao Anyu wouldn’t seek her out.
“Oh, what a rare sight to see Feng Guniang here. With your wedding to Lord Gu approaching, shouldn’t you be at home preparing for the marriage instead of attending a banquet?”
Jiang Zhilan felt uneasy as soon as she heard these words. Seeing the fire in Feng Wenyu’s eyes, she immediately held her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
Feng Wenyu was already simmering with anger inside. At this moment, even hearing Gu Yushi’s name felt grating to her ears. She wasn’t one to endure insults quietly when someone provoked her openly.
Feng Wenyu curled her lips into a scornful laugh. Holding a round fan, she pretended to fan herself gracefully:
“Rather than questioning me, Miss Qiao, you should ask the one who hosted this banquet. Since I am here, it’s naturally because your household sent an invitation.”
Qiao Anyu glared at her angrily. “You—such a sharp tongue!”
Qiao Anyu was wearing a crimson silk dress. She was a girl as radiant as the sun, but now, flushed with anger, her face took on an indescribable charm.
Feng Wenyu sometimes wondered.
Qiao Anyu was never good at arguing and always lost to her in disputes, yet she never tired of picking fights.
Moreover, Feng Wenyu didn’t appreciate the label “sharp-tongued.” Lifting her chin slightly, she feigned concern and said, “Miss Qiao, there’s no need to worry about me. Instead, you should consider how Old Madam has gone to great lengths for your sake. Don’t disappoint her efforts.”
Qiao Anyu’s face instantly turned cold.
Jiang Zhilan subtly tugged at Feng Wenyu’s sleeve, and Feng Wenyu knew when to stop.
They were all part of the same social circle, familiar with one another, and some matters were hardly secrets.
For instance, Qiao Anyu had been of marriageable age for two years but had yet to be betrothed. It wasn’t because the Qiao family had other plans, but because Qiao Anyu herself was unwilling.
She had someone she admired, but there was no possibility of a future with that person.
No matter how stubborn she was, her family couldn’t stand by and watch her ruin herself.
Feng Wenyu deliberately struck a nerve, but it was only because Qiao Anyu always sought to provoke her.
Qiao Anyu knew she couldn’t avoid the matter of her betrothal. Whether she liked it or not, she had to choose someone from the candidates her grandmother approved of.
Suddenly, Qiao Anyu fell silent.
Feng Wenyu and Jiang Zhilan exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.
Qiao Anyu, with her distinguished status, was accustomed to being the center of attention and rarely showed signs of distress.
After a long while, Qiao Anyu looked up again, staring intently at Feng Wenyu. “No one stays fortunate forever. That’s my fate, and it will be yours too.”
Feng Wenyu’s expression immediately darkened. No one would feel pleased after being openly cursed like that.
Especially with the matter of Gu Yushi still unresolved, like a thorn piercing her heart.
Jiang Zhilan frowned. “Miss Qiao, you should watch your words. We are here as guests of Old Madam. Don’t let others misunderstand the Qiao family’s hospitality.”
Qiao Anyu knew they were close and wasn’t surprised that Jiang Zhilan spoke up for Feng Wenyu. She merely sneered, “Don’t use reputation to pressure me.”
No sooner had she spoken than she heard a maid calling her from outside. Qiao Anyu frowned, then reluctantly rose to her feet. But before turning to leave, perhaps aware of what lay ahead, she couldn’t resist looking back at Feng Wenyu:
“Have you met him?”
Feng Wenyu was utterly confused: “What are you talking about?”